New evacuation orders issued for Ainslie Creek wildfire near Merritt, now 48,537 hectares

Evacuation orders have expanded for the Ainslie Creek wildfire southwest of Merritt, which as of Saturday, Aug. 8 was estimated at 48,537 hectares.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issued an evacuation order for approximately 61 addressed properties on the fire's northeastern flank in Electoral Area N on Saturday. The order includes all addressed properties west of Spius Creek, including Petit Creek Road and Prospect Creek FSR. On Friday, the TNRD issued an evacuation order for approximately 57 addressed properties in the Coldwater/Patchett area on the fire's southeastern flank, and expanded an evacuation alert to include a total of 783 addressed properties across Electoral Areas I, M, and N.

Evacuees should self-register via the Evacuee Registration and Assistance tool at ess.gov.bc.ca or report to the Kamloops ESS Reception Centre at McArthur Island (1655 Island Parkway). Anyone requiring transportation from the area should contact the TNRD's Emergency Operations Centre at 250-377-7188 (toll-free 1-866-377-7188).

BC Wildfire Service says there is no imminent threat to Highway 8 from Spences Bridge to Merritt, Highway 5 (the Coquihala), or to the City of Merritt itself. The northeastern perimeter of the fire is currently estimated to be 11-12 kilometres southwest of Highway 8, with growth on Saturday expected to reach approximately five kilometres beyond that perimeter. The southeastern flank, north of Uztlius Creek, is also seeing significant growth and is expected to continue aggressive fire behaviour once conditions clear.